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Chapter Thirty Six
The next three weeks go by pretty quickly. While I've only talked to Spencer on the phone once a day and visited once a week, he has written me at least two letters every single day. I pull into the parking lot after a two hour drive. He's finally coming home today. I go inside to help him carry his things out and he's already waiting in the lobby.
"Hey honey...ready?"
"Absolutely," he smiles.
As we walk to the car, I scan him. He looks better now than he has in two months. His color has returned, his eyes are clear, his face has healed, and he even looks like he's been working out some. His hair is a little longer too.
"Mind if I drive?"
"I thought you hated driving?"
"I don't hate it. I just don't particularly enjoy it," he laughs. "I just figured I'd give you a break. I know you've been driving back and forth for weeks."
"That'd be nice," I smile at him hesitantly, still not fully trusting him. He opens the door for me and I slide in, watching him bound around to the driver's seat and get in, adjusting it to his height.
"How has school been?"
"It's been good I guess."
"Do you like your classes? I know you weren't exactly excited to take that calculus class."
"Ugh it's ridiculous!" I groan and throw my head back dramatically, earning a laugh from him. "I've been busting my ass and I'm barely passing."
"Do you want me to help you?"
"No!" This catches him off guard and he gives me a funny look.
"I'm sorry. I just...my instructor knows you and-"
"You don't want him to think I'm doing the work for you?"
"Exactly. And he knows we're together."
"What makes you say that?"
"He asked me if you were going to guest lecture this semester. Said he hadn't been able to get ahold of you."
"You Have Doctor Burris?"
"No. Doctor Watt."
"Weird. I've only guest lectured for him once."
"Oh...maybe he was confused?"
"I'll give him a call in the morning." His face falls but he fixes it quickly and doesn't elaborate.
"And if you need help, all you have to do is ask."
"I just don't want to get my degree on the back of my live in genius."
"I understand. Just remember it's a standing offer."
"So I know we had tossed around the idea of going out for dinner tonight, but is it okay if we just go home? I have a ton of work to do and I'm exhausted."
"Whatever you want," he gives me a reassuring smile.
"Uh...Spence?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are we going over a hundred?"
"Oh shit! Sorry! I didn't even realize we were going that fast. Your car is a really smooth ride," he laughs. "Not to mention, the most of my driving is on takedowns where the speed limit doesn't even exist."
"You do have a point."
...
When we get home, Spencer heads straight for the bedroom to unpack and I settle on the couch to do homework. After a few minutes he emerges and bends down behind the couch, wrapping an arm around my chest.
"I've got to take a shower. Care to join me?"
"Actually, I really just need to get this work done," I say nonchalantly.
"Oh...okay." He's a bit dejected but doesn't push me.
"I don't know if I ever told you cause I always assumed you knew, but everythinghere is yours to use. Including my desk. You'll hurt your back bent over on the couch like that."
"Thanks Spencer..."
After his shower, we end up getting dinner delivered and decide on a RomCom movie to watch. Spencer respects my boundaries and only holds my hand. Eventually I grow cold and lean against him, taking his hand and pulling his arm up and over my shoulders. I can feel him relax a little and he rubs soft circles on my arm. I rise to go to bed but he doesn't follow so I turn and look at him questioningly.
"I'm not going to try and get you to act like nothing has happened. Until you're ready to invite me back into your bed, I'll take the couch. I don't want to pressure you."
"Thank you for that," I am a little hurt but I hide it and retreat to the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.